Owners to discuss new bargaining deal17- or 18-game schedule will be explored in talks

Published 5:30 am, Monday, March 23, 2009

Texans general manager Rick Smith and owner Bob McNair will discuss the CBA at the meetings.

Texans general manager Rick Smith and owner Bob McNair will discuss the CBA at the meetings.

Photo: Mayra Beltran, Houston Chronicle

NFL owners meet to discuss new bargaining deal

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DANA POINT, Calif. – When NFL owners begin their spring meetings today, they will discuss upcoming negotiations for a new collective bargaining agreement, how the nation’s economic crisis is affecting the league, and possible rules changes.

Included in the discussions about a new CBA before 2010 becomes an uncapped year will be the possibility of extending the schedule to 17 or 18 games. Commissioner Roger Goodell will meet with the owners for the first time.

While the owners will meet behind closed doors, the Jay Cutler controversy will continue to rage. Denver hasn’t placed the disgruntled quarterback on the trade block, but the Denver Post has reported that 10 teams have shown interest in acquiring him.

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The committee met with members of the NFL Players Association, and the players aren’t interested in changing the overtime rule to allow both teams to touch the ball at least once.

“That (overtime) is drawing a lot of attention from the media, and of course, it’s been brought up a lot by our fans,” McKay said.

“In talking to the Players Association and the Players Advisory Council and in looking at the competition committee survey from the member clubs, we’ve come to the conclusion that there’s nothing we’re in a position to propose at this time.

“No club proposed a change. There’s no unanimity within the clubs as to a change.”